Negotiations underway to build new train station in Brisbane's Skygate precinct

Negotiations to build a third station on the Airtrain line has been opened by the Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC). The new station will provide rail access to the DFO complex as well as other facilities in the Skygate precinct.

According to BAC’s head of property development George Delibaltas, discussions have taken place between their corporation, the State Government and Airtrain Holdings Limited about adding a new train station at that location which will open the precinct to more business opportunities.

“It also will fuel the opportunity for the precinct to be a commercial office precinct... Access to train infrastructure is one of the main considerations for many office developments, so that’ll fuel the office market we have out here at the moment.” – Mr George Delibaltas

Mr Delibaltas also said that they are working closely with Airtrain in regards to the location of the new station in the Skygate precinct. They will be conducting a purposing and site study to determine the perfect location, and this will run until October 2016.

“[…] that’ll inform locating the station’s preferred location, how it’s operate and, obviously, all the other bits and pieces around it from a constructability point of view, so we can estimate a cost to deliver the preferred station.” – Mr George Delibaltas

Where the funds for this project will come from has not yet been determined as BAC and Airtrain are currently concentrating on determining how the new train station will function once it’s operational – costing will come after operational set-up has been finalised.

Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe’s spokesperson said that the minister encourages BAC and Airtrain to continue with their detailed feasibility studies for this project or “pursue a market-led proposal with private investment to build a new station at Skygate”.